Reverse Flow vs Cross flow pans

[red maples]

Alrighty...next question...

Reverse Flow pans vs Cross flow pans.

likes... dislikes and general comments which seems to better or do they both work good. just trying to get some info on possibly an up grade for next season...if the funds are there!!!

The cross flow just seems to be ideal as there are 2 pans removeable with or with out syrup and they can be switched back and forth, easier to handle, clean etc etc etc.

Thoughts?

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

I switched to cross flow a couple of years ago. I would never go back. Easy to switch out, easy to keep clean, easier to keep my gradient.

[PerryW]

here's a thread where somebody asked the same question...


http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?6623-Cross-Flow-Pans-vs.-Reverse-flow-Pans/page3

I alsway wondered what the difference. Sounds like with cross flow, you actually switch the front pans instead of reversing the flow. I guess I can't see how this could be easier than moving a plug and changing the float from one side to the other, but maybe in big operations, simply reversing the flow is not enough to prevent big-time nitre buildup. I neve clean my pans mid-season except the one time I made over 200 gallons.

[Russell Lampron]

A typical cross flow set up has 2 front pans instead of one and the you would generally have a spare pan as well. This way you can be boiling with 2 of the pans while cleaning the other. Then you would swap them around every boil so that you always have one clean pan to start with. When you get good at it you can swap pans without shutting the evaporator down.

[red maples]

Thanks for the link perry, I searched it but for some reason I didn't get that thread. There is so much info on this site that its actually hard to find what youre loooking for.

I read through it seems that the cross flow is the way to go !!!!! pretty much answered all my questions... It just makes so much more sense than a reverse flow. you can work on one side of the evap all the time. makes cleaning that much easier. vlves right in the pipes with plugs to remove the pans easier.

Thanks again